COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SD3-60/35 Main Landing Gear Actuator 12/92
Applicability: Model SD3-60 with actuator part number and serial numbers listed in Dowty Service Bulletin 32-69SD Revision 1.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Dowty Mandatory Service Bulletin 32-69SD Revision 1.
Note: Shorts SB SD360-32-32 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 12 February 1992.
Background: An actuator recently returned to the manufacturer for investigation was found to have a malformed radius on the slots on the piston rod. Damage to the rear edge radius could result in the locking segments tipping within the slots and the subsequent failure of the actuator to unlock. As a precaution, the remaining units in the affected batch are being recalled.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are integral to the regulation of civil aviation within Australia, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel. Specifically, Part 39, Section 105, includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that mandate safety measures for various aircraft components. One such directive, AD/SD3-60/35, addresses the safety concerns related to the main landing gear actuator in certain model SD3-60 aircraft. This directive was introduced in response to an issue identified with a malformed radius on the slots of the piston rod in the actuator, which could lead to a failure of the actuator to unlock, thereby compromising safety. The directive requires compliance with Dowty Service Bulletin 32-69SD Revision 1, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the specified safety standards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, established this directive to mitigate potential safety risks and ensure the reliability of the aircraft in question.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives and applies to the SD3-60 series of aeroplanes, focusing on the main landing gear actuator as detailed in AD/SD3-60/35. This regulation is particularly concerned with aeroplanes that have an actuator part number and serial numbers listed in Dowty Service Bulletin 32-69 SD Revision 1. The directive mandates actions in line with the aforementioned service bulletin, which aims to rectify a specific defect identified in the actuator. The requirement is that all affected aircraft must adhere to the service bulletin's instructions to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive applies to aircraft that were compliant before 12 February 1992, the date from which the directive came into effect, and it is imperative that operators of the specified aircraft series take necessary actions to maintain compliance with the safety standards set forth in the regulation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for certain aircraft models. Section AD/SD3-60/35 pertains to the main landing gear actuator of Short SD3-60 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to models identified with particular actuator part numbers and serial numbers, as listed in Dowty Service Bulletin 32-69 SD Revision 1. The requirement outlined in this section mandates that the action specified in the aforementioned service bulletin must be taken to ensure compliance with safety standards (Section AD/SD3-60/35). Notably, any relevant information or additional context can be found in Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-32-32.
The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties involved, including aircraft owners and operators, are to follow the instructions detailed in Dowty Service Bulletin 32-69 SD Revision 1. This involves ensuring that any affected aircraft undergo the necessary inspection, repair, or replacement of the main landing gear actuator as specified. This is to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent any potential mechanical failure that could compromise safety (Section AD/SD3-60/35). It is essential that compliance with these directives is achieved before the specified date of 12 February 1992, to avoid any safety risks associated with the identified issue.
Non-compliance with the requirements set out in AD/SD3-60/35 can result in serious consequences. Specifically, if an aircraft is found to be non-compliant with the airworthiness directives, it may be grounded until the necessary actions are taken. Such actions could include inspections, repairs, or replacements of the affected components. Failure to adhere to these regulations could lead to severe civil or criminal penalties. In extreme cases, this might result in fines or other legal actions against the aircraft owners or operators. The specific penalties and consequences are determined by the severity of the non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety (Section AD/SD3-60/35).